Underwater connector



Feb. 6, 1940. R. TEMPLE, JR 2,189,439

UNDERWATER CONNECTOR Filed April 15, 1937 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 6, 1940. V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for supplying a fluid pressure connection to an object under water, as, for example, a sunken submarine.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved underwater connector whereby fluid can be supplied to or removed from a submerged plate, and particularly to a sunken or injured ship.

Another object of my invention is the pro- 10 vision of improved apparatus for connecting conduits, such as air lines, to an object under water, which apparatus is relatively inexpensive and easily and quickly installed, and which is satisfactory in use.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of connector apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention with certain of the associated projectile driving mechanism being broken away, and Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of Fig. 1 and illustrating in greater detail certain of the projectile driving mechanism.

Although the improved apparatus of my invention is broadly adapted to provide underwater connections of all sorts, as, for example, ship repair beneath the water line of the hull, connections to submerged tanks, plates, pipes and vessels of all sorts, nevertheless my invention is particularly adapted to the salvage of sunken vessels and to supply air or oxygen to sunken submarines. Hence in the' following description and in the drawing the invention has been illustrated and will be described as employed to provide a connection with a metal plate, as, for example, forming the side wall of a sunken vessel.

Having particular reference to the drawing, the numeral l0 indicates a metal plate, as, for example, forming an outer wall of a submerged 4o vessel. Secured in fluid-tight relation to the plate in is a cup i2 having an integral endless flange it formed on the cup adjacent the lip thereof. A gasket iii, of any suitable type, and received in a recess i! on the cup, is ordinarily as employed between the cup i2 and the plate i6.

Securing the cup I2 to the plate I!) is a plurality of threaded pins 18 which are driven through suitable apertures 20 in the flange it and into the metal plate ID, as, for example, by mechanism such as illustrated in my 'fathers Patents Nos. 1,365,869 and 1,365,870. These mechanisms are adapted to drive a pointed projectile, such as the pin l8, under high force and velocity by the explosion of a confined explosive charge. The

penetrating power of the pins is, of course, determined by the amount of explosive material employed. when driving the pins l8, an explosive charge is used which drives the pins only part way through the side of the plate "I," and the threads on the pin or a positive shoulder may 5 be used to stop the pin exactly where desired. Nuts 22 threaded on the pins I8 tighten the cup l2 into fluid-tight relation with the plate It. A set screw 24 received in an extending portion 28 of the flange may be provided to act when tightl0 ened as a lock for the various nuts 22.

Secured to the cup I! and particularly to a circular hub 30 thereof is a conduit 82 which is adapted to supply fluid under pressure to the interior of the cup l2. The cup I2 likewise is 15 provided with one or more projectile driving mechanisms, each indicated as a whole by the numeral 33, and are constructed generally in accordance with the disclosure of my father's Patents Nos. 1,365,869 and 1,365,870. Particularly, each mechanism includes a barrel 36, a re-. movable breech block 35, a piercing projectile 38, a piston 31 which receives an explosive charge, and a detonating cap 38 integral with the piston. The cap is detonated by a firing pin 39 urged 2 toward firing position by a spring 40 but normally held against movement by a removable safety pin M. The barrels 3'6 of the mechanisms 33 are threaded at their ends, as at 42, and are received in suitable tapped recesses 63 provided in the cup in alignment with openings M which extend substantially parallel to the axis of the cup l2 and open to the interior thereof. I usually provide a sealing disc 66 of metal, such as copper, between the threaded end 62 of each driving mechanism and the bottom of the tapped recesses 43.

In the practice of the method of my invention the cup i2 when still above water has the conduit 32 and the driving mechanisms 33 secured thereto. The cup and associated mechanisms and conduit are then lowered down into the water and are guided, for example, by a diver, into engagement with the plate I0. When in the desired position relative to the plate, the pointed pins it are. driven through the apertures 2d of the flange Id and into the plate It by the mechanism or mechanisms of the referred-to patents as handled by the diver. Nuts 22 are then run onto the pins 15 to secure the cup l2 in fluid-tight relaw tlon against the side of the plate Ill. The set screw 28 may then be tightened to further lock the assembly in place. The projectile driving mechanisms 33 carrying a sufliciently heavy explosive charge to drive their projectiles 36 completely through the 'plate II are now operated by pulling out the pins ll so that air or other fluid under pressure supplied to the conduit 32 passes through the plate I. and into the sunken vessel. The slight amount of water trapped within the cup I: when it is secured in place causes no harm.

In the usual operation the driving mechanism 3| are left on the cup I! during the passage oi fluid under pressure to the cup I! and to the other side oi the plate 10. In certain instances I have found it advisable to remove the driving mechanisms 33 and use them elsewhere. This can be done inasmuch as the pistons 31 of the driving mechanisms 33 are sufllciently expanded in the barrel of the driving mechanisms as to permit the removal of all but the threaded end 42 01' the barrel which can be made as a removable and replaceable part of the barrel.

From the foregoing description it will be recognized that the objects of my invention have been achieved by the provision of apparatus for quickly and positively connecting a conduit carrying fluid to or from a submerged object. The apparatus is relatively inexpensive and can readily be operated and installed by the ordinary diver.

While in accordance with the patent statutes one embodiment 01 my invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to or withdrawing it from a sunken vessel or the like comprising a cup, an endless flange on the cup adjacent the lip of the cup, a gasket associated with the flange, a conduit secured to the cup arid extending to the surface, means explosively driven through the sides of the vessel securing the flange to the vessel in fluid-tight relation therewith, and means associated with the cup and adapted to drive a punch under the impulse of a detonated confined explosive charge through the side of the vessel inside the cup to leave an unobstructed passage through the side of the vessel.

2. Apparatus for connecting a conduit to a plate or the like submerged in water comprising a cup, an endless flange on the cup adjacent the lip of the cup, a gasket associated with the flange, a conduit secured to the cup and extending to the surface, means for securing the flange to the plate in fluid-tight relation therewith, and means associated with the cup and adapted to pierce the plate inside the cup.

3. Apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to or withdrawing it from a submerged unpregreases pared metal plate or the like comprising a cup, a gasket associated with the cup, a conduit secured to the cup, piercing pins securing the cup to the plate with the gasket between the cup and plate and in fluid-tight relation therewith, and

means associated with the cup and comprising a projectile-driving device for piercing an unobstructed hole through the plate inside the cup. 4. Apparatus for connecting a conduit to a I metal plate or the like comprising a member, a

conduit secured to the member and extending to the inside thereof, explosively driven piercing pins securing the member to the plate in fluidtight relation therewith, and means associated with themember for chambering an explosive device for puncturing the plate inside the mem- 1 her.

5. Apparatus for supplying fluid under pres through the member and the side of the vessel securing the member to the vessel in fluid-tight relation therewith, and means associated with the member to drive a punch-type projectile under the impulse of a detonated confined explosive charge through the side of the vessel inside the member so as to connect the conduit to the inside of the vessel by an unobstructed passage.

6. Apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to or withdrawing it from a sunken vessel or the like comprising a member, a conduit secured to the member, explosively driven means securing the member to the vessel in fluid-tight relation therewith, and means associated with the member to pierce the side of the vessel inside the member so as to connect the conduit to the inside of the vessel.

7. Apparatus for connecting fluid under pressure to or withdrawing it from a metal plate or the like submerged in water comprising a lipped hollow cup-shaped member, a conduit secured to the member and extending to a source of fluid under pressure, said conduit being adapted to supply fluid without confinement to the interior of the cup-shaped member, means explosively driven through the lip of the member and the plate securing the member to the plate in fluidtight relation therewith, and means associated with the member to drive projectiles under the impulse of a detonated confined explosive charge through the plate to connect the conduit to the other side of the plate.

ROBERT TEMPLE, JR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. 3 Patent No. 2,189,L 9. February 6, who.

ROBERT TEMPLE, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, line 58, claim 6, after "and" insert explosively driven; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of March,- A. D. 197.10.

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. 3

Patent No. 2,189,159. February 6, l9LLO.

" ROBERT TEMPLE, JR.

' It is hereby certified" that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, line 58, claim 6, after "and" insert explosively driven; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day. of March,- A. D. 19110.

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

